News releases

Friends of the Earth statement on the McCutcheon v. FEC decision

Posted Apr. 2, 2014 / Posted by: Kate Colwell

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Friends of the Earth, along with 34 labor, faith, democracy and other organizations, released the following statement on today’s Supreme Court decision in the matter of McCutcheon v. Federal Election Committee:

The Supreme Court has once again sided with the wealthy and powerful and against the vast majority of Americans. Today’s McCutcheon v. FEC decision makes it more important than ever that Congress move forward on legislation to lift up the voices of those unable to write big campaign checks.

The Government By the People Act (HR 20) and the Fair Elections Now Act (S 2023) would boost the influence of small donors and help millions more Americans, rather than just a few big donors, play a central role in determining who runs for Congress, who wins elections, and what issues make it onto the agenda in Washington.

A slim majority of the Supreme Court may have given up on having a democracy that works for everyone, but we have not. Through the Government By the People and Fair Elections Now Acts, we can create a political system for the many, not just the money, and forge a democracy that’s more responsive and accountable to the American people. Our millions of members demand it, and we will not rest until we truly have a government that is of, by, and for the people.

Signatories on this statement are as follows: AFSCME, Americans for Campaign Reform, American Family Voices, Campaign for America's Future, Common Cause, Communications Workers of America, CREDO, Democracy for America, Democracy Matters, Demos, Franciscan Action Network, Free Speech for People, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, League of Conservation Voters, NAACP, National Education Association, National Peoples Action, OurTime.org, People for the American Way, Progressive Change Campaign Committee, Progressives United, Public Campaign, Public Citizen, Rebuild the Dream, Rootstrikers, Sierra Club, StampStempede, United Auto Workers, United Steelworkers, USAction, USPIRG, Voices for Progress, WolfPAC, Working Families Organization.